MANKATO, Minn. -- Rookie wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson has the inside track to be the Vikings' primary kick returner, a role that should not limit his availability on offense, according to coach Leslie Frazier.

Two days into his first NFL training camp, Patterson has impressed the staff with his ability to retain information and execute pro plays despite his only having one year of Division I college experience.

"It wasn't like starting from zero like we thought it might be," said Frazier. "That encourages all of us. Now take that with a grain of salt. We've got a lot more football to go, but we like what we see so far."

Patterson is a dynamic playmaker whose speed and ability to improvise and shed open-field tackles prompted Minnesota to trade back into the first round to select the former Tennessee Volunteer with New England's 29th overall pick.

Saturday, he returned kicks and spent considerable time the first-team offense, lining up against cornerback and fellow first-round rookie Xavier Rhodes. He even took a pitch from quarterback Christian Ponder on an end around.

"Of course I like running that play," Patterson said. "I just want the ball in my hands."

Frazier said Patterson will get every chance to secure the kickoff return job.

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Unlike Percy Harvin, whose electrifying returns and the pounding he took on kickoffs sometimes kept him on the sideline during offensive possessions, Patterson's size (6 feet 2, 220 pounds) should allow him to work double shifts.

"I don't think we'll have that much of a concern," Frazier said.

Briefly

Nose tackle Letroy Guion was scheduled to have an X-ray on his elbow to determine the severity of an injury he suffered during team drills, which ended his practice Saturday.

"I know he was a little frustrated when it happened," Frazier said. "They're going to go in and X-ray it, let me know what's going on."